"The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent. But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it."
- Joshua 6:17-18 -

It seemed to be too cruel to destroy all the inhabitants of Jericho (21). Yet it was the act of God's judgment upon their sins. God had already said to Abraham about it more than 700 years ago in Genesis 15:16, "In the fourth generation your descendants will come back here, for the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure." The Lord God is righteous to judge the sins of the world. Though He decided to judge the sinful Canaanites, He waited for a long time, giving them chances to repent (Ro 2:4-5). Thus, it was God's grace upon the Israelites for taking possession of the city Jericho as Moses said to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 9:5, "It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." The Lord our God is faithful; He is to be praised forever. We should fear Him and live with thanks for His chosen grace in Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your one-sided grace that you chose us as your people. May we fear you and do your will in our time.